Post #129533 by Tangaroa on Tue, Dec 7, 2004 4:55 PM

Hi all - I've been meaning to post this one for a while - finally got around to it!

As some of you know, I collect memorablia from the long-gone Sambo's Restaurants. I started to notice that some of the best postcards were all shot at night by a photographer named Tim Putz. Long story short - I thought he might still be around, and I tracked him down! Not only did he photograph every Sambo's in the 1960s for the company - he still has all his negatives. I asked him if we could meet up, so I could see what he still had (and maybe talk him into making a few copies for me)!

He suggested meeting at the original (and last remaining) Sambo's in Santa Barbara for lunch - so a few weeks ago I put Devon in the car seat & drove on up! I'm glad I did...

Here are some photos, and a litle Sambo's history to go along with it... (NOTE: Some of the photos are mine, some are taken by myself from the walls of the Santa Barbara Sambo's & Photoshopped, and some are the property of Tim Putz. These last ones are marked with a copyright - so please don't use them without permission.)

I used to have breakfast at this Sambo's in Anaheim in the 70s before we'd go to Disneyland for the day. I believe the reason I'm so obsessed right now is that I saved nothing from these visits. This one was located at the corner of West & Katella...

We met Mr. Putz for lunch, and he brought along his volumes of proof sheets for me to look at. It was more than a little overwhelming - having been used to finding postcards once in a while, now I was going through 100s of interior & exterior photos!

In 1957, Sam Battistone & Newell Bohnett bought this failing cafe & renamed it "Sambo's" (Sam + Bo = Sambo, get it?) - they sold hotcakes, coffee - standard coffee shop fare, etc. And it took off!

Although they became known for their modern-60s designs, Sambo's Santa Barbara took on an almost Asian look with these exterior lamps. Circa 1965.

Today in 2004.

Here's co-founder Sam Battistone behind the grill, cooking up pancakes no doubt... Circa 1960.

The chain once numbered 1,200 units coast-to-coast, but this one was the first. Quickly, they picked on the idea to theme their restaurant to the "Little Black Sambo" book by Helen Bannerman, complete with an African boy stereotype. In the background you can see the original Bannerman-influenced illustrations, that would in turn become the little Indian boy illustrations most collectors are more familiar with...

Here's a circa 1960 shot of the interior - check out that great tile pattern on the floor...

Circa 1965. The heyday of those great Indian boy/Tiger designs.

Today in 2004.

Tim also did product photography for Sambo's. Check out this Instant Pancake Mix & Sambo's Syrup you could buy at the restaurants, or your corner grocery store. If anyone out there has this packaging for sale - please contact me!

I love these little characters!

Here's Sam Battistone & Newell Bohnett at the ribbon cutting ceremony for an San Diego Sambo's (the lady's sash says "Yellowtail Derby") - most likely early 60s.

Here are a few examples of how nice Tim's photography is, and how stunning some of these restaurants were....

Biscayne, Florida.

Coral Gables, Florida.

Sacramento-Folsom, California.

Miami Beach, Florida. Notice the Denny's inspired signage on this one.

Finally, for all you So Cal tikicentralites - here's the Sambo's that became La Casita - Mexican Restaurant attached to Caliente Tropics in Palm Springs, formerly the Tropics Motel.

Today in 2004.

A close-up reveals a lone tiki, standing guard out front.

Great logo for the adjoining Congo Room on the facade.

Today, 2004.

Interior - notice the use of "congo-esque" poles on the right.

I don't have a corresponding interior shot - but this one gives a sense of who different it looks with darker colors, although the layout remains the same.

So - when you all are eating there at next years Oasis - take a moment to remember poor old Sambo's!